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S83.205A
ICD-10-CM
Knee Meniscus Tear

Find information on knee meniscus tear diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about meniscus tear symptoms, diagnostic criteria, ICD-10 codes (S83.2_), MRI findings, and treatment options. This resource provides accurate medical information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand meniscus injuries. Explore relevant medical terminology, documentation guidelines, and coding best practices for knee meniscus tears.

Also known as

Meniscal Tear
Torn Meniscus
Cartilage Tear

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : A rip or tear in the meniscus cartilage of the knee.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, swelling, popping sensation, stiffness, limited range of motion, clicking, locking.
  • Common Settings : Sports injuries, degenerative changes, awkward twisting motions, direct trauma.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S83.205A Coding
S83.2-

Other meniscus derangements of knee

Includes tears of meniscus of knee, current injury or not.

S83.1-

Dislocation of meniscus of knee

Covers displacement and derangement of knee meniscus.

M23.-

Internal derangements of knee

Includes various internal knee problems, sometimes with meniscus involvement.

S83.9-

Other internal derangements of knee

A general category for knee derangements not elsewhere classified.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the meniscus tear traumatic?

  • Yes

    Which knee?

  • No

    Which knee?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Knee meniscus tear
Knee sprain/strain
Knee osteoarthritis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document laterality (left or right knee)
  • Meniscus tear type (e.g., bucket handle, radial)
  • Location of tear (anterior horn, posterior horn, body)
  • Mechanism of injury (traumatic, degenerative)
  • Associated injuries (e.g., ACL, MCL tear)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding a meniscus tear without specifying right, left, or bilateral knee can lead to claim denials and inaccurate reporting. Use S73.1XXA-S73.1XXD.

  • Trauma vs. Degeneration

    Incorrectly coding a degenerative tear as traumatic (or vice versa) impacts reimbursement and data integrity. CDI crucial for accurate S73.1XXA-S73.1XXD codes.

  • Missing Meniscus Type

    Failure to document medial, lateral, or both menisci torn creates coding ambiguity. Precise ICD-10-CM S73.1XXA-S73.1XXD selection needed.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate laterality documentation (left/right) for ICD-10 coding.
  • Detailed tear type (bucket-handle, radial) in operative notes for CDI.
  • Use specific modifiers for MRI/arthroscopy CPT codes, ensure compliance.
  • Document pre-op and post-op pain/ROM for accurate outcome assessment.
  • Correlate exam findings (McMurray test) with imaging to justify diagnosis.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify joint line tenderness (medial/lateral)
  • Confirm positive McMurray's or Thessaly test
  • Check for joint effusion, locking, or clicking
  • Assess for decreased ROM and pain with weight-bearing
  • Review imaging (MRI) for meniscus tear confirmation

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Knee Meniscus Tear: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for arthroscopy, meniscectomy, repair.
  • Accurate ICD-10 (S73) and CPT (29880-29883) coding maximizes meniscus tear surgery reimbursement.
  • Hospital reporting: Meniscus tear diagnosis quality metrics influence pay-for-performance incentives.
  • Timely, specific documentation of meniscus tear type and location improves coding and reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code laterality: right, left, bilateral
  • Document tear type: bucket-handle, flap, radial
  • Specify location: anterior, posterior, medial, lateral
  • Include MRI findings for accurate coding
  • ICD-10: M23.2-, S83.2- for trauma

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with a possible medial meniscus tear.  Onset of symptoms occurred [Timeframe] following [Mechanism of injury, e.g., twisting injury while playing basketball, non-contact deceleration].  Patient reports experiencing knee pain localized to the [Medial/Lateral] joint line, with occasional clicking, popping, catching, or locking sensations.  Pain is exacerbated by [Activities, e.g., weight-bearing, squatting, twisting].  Patient denies any prior history of knee injury or surgery.  Physical examination reveals [Positive/Negative] McMurray's test, [Positive/Negative] Apley's grind test, and [Positive/Negative] Thessaly test.  Joint line tenderness is noted.  Range of motion is [Limited/Full] with [Degrees] of flexion and [Degrees] of extension.  Effusion is [Present/Absent].  Ligamentous testing of the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL is [Stable/Unstable].  Differential diagnoses include meniscal tear, ligamentous injury, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and osteoarthritis.  Assessment:  Knee meniscus tear, [Medial/Lateral], likely [Acute/Chronic].  Plan:  Conservative management is initially recommended, including RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), and physical therapy focusing on strengthening and range of motion exercises.  Referral to orthopedics for further evaluation and consideration for MRI to confirm diagnosis and evaluate the extent of the tear.  Surgical intervention (e.g., meniscectomy, meniscus repair) may be warranted if conservative treatment fails or if significant mechanical symptoms persist.  Follow-up scheduled in [Timeframe] to assess response to treatment.  ICD-10 code: [Appropriate ICD-10 code, e.g., M23.2xx for medial meniscus tear].
Knee Meniscus Tear - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation